I recently passed my RN boards and I'm currently searching for a job. I am in Massachusetts with my associates degree so basically it's about who you know at this point and lots of praying haha.
I have a ton of experience including ICU, med/surg, oncology, emergency room and maternity. I also have a degree in respiratory therapy, no license though.
I tell you all of this for advice or maybe to vent because I am getting no where with this job search. I am open to any job including long term, acute, home care, psych, you name it.
I've been on a few interviews, some really good and some well not-so-much...but it's been extremely frustrating. I interview very well (do my research, dress appropriately, prepare for questions, ask questions) and I look at every interview as I will only get better! Either they ask me if I have a BSN(which I'm starting in January) or totally waste my time. I got a call yesterday at 8:30 am to reschedule for a 9 am Interview because the nurse manager called out sick. I live 45 mins away. I call to check in on my application and they just give me the generic answer or they just flat out reject me for no reason. I am constantly trying to remind myself to stay positive, but it is really hard. People in my class who have literally no healthcare experience are getting jobs in acute care! Like good for them, but what about the people who gained experience while in nursing school ? I may not have a 4.0 gpa, but I did get B's and I wouldn't change the experience I have for anything.
Please just leave any advice or well wishes because I am loosing hope !!
I was broke from respiratory school and didn't have money to take my boards, so I went back to work as a CNA... totally irrelevant to this convo. So I should keep applying and be patient ...why didn't I think of that?
Your job (or lack thereof) history is always relevant to your current job-seeking experience. So is your attitude.
I hear you! It took me over 6 months and over 100 applications. That is not an exaggeration. I live in a part of the country with tons of jobs for experienced nurses but it is rough if you are not a young new-grad with a 4.0. But that was a few years ago and I eventually got hired somewhere (long commute/high turnover facility) and now have a good job close to home. People don't realize how hard it is to keep looking as a new grad. I did all those things people tell you to do and it was still hard. Finally, I connected with a random hiring manager at a job fair who decided to try a few new grads. I said all kinds of fake things about why I wanted to work in this difficult and hard facilty. I just happened to be in the right line because the other hiring manager turned all new grads away.
Job search is totally random and hard. Believe in yourself! Keep at it. You will find a job eventually.
Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.
I am not talking about you in 1994 or international students, I'm talking about me. Sorry that you don't
agree that prior experience counts, but I did have one recruiter say they specifically called me because of my prior experience. Please don't make me out to be a monster. There were two parts of the interview, the Human Resources part and the nurse manager part. They could've had me come in for the Human Resources part since I was in the parking lot. It would never fly if I was sick, they would think that as me not being interested. Let me make one thing clear, I don't need anyone on here to sit and cheer me on.. I simply came on here because it's a frustrating process and nothing in your post was worth my time ... it was negative and completely unnecessary.
If this is the attitude that emanates in an interview, you may be unwittingly shooting yourself in the foot. I read Primetime's post as encouraging you to be philosophical with your job search and not lose hope too soon. You read some sort of criticism in it and reacted rather testily.
Another tip: if you are an applicant for an RN position, then "experience" implies "RN experience" unless clarified. If you have experience as a CNA in all those areas, that is a plus; you just need to state it as such. This is because new grads often make the mistake of citing their clinical rotations as "experience". Employers don't count it as such and your original post made me wonder if you were doing that. By all means let your employers know about your extensive experience as a CNA.
No, you should give up and quit. It is the easiest option and will spare you the aggravation of having to try so hard at getting a new job. Honestly you seem to have a pattern of starting things, and not finishing things. You can't quit so easily and expect good results. If I went to school to be a respiratory therapist, I would have made sure I was able to pay for my state test so that I could later work. The same thing applies to becoming an RN. If you went to school, and passed the boards, you need to work you butt off to get a job. Your attitude is not helping the situation. You can't pick and choose what you want to hear in regards to the reality of the situation. You asked for advice and everyone was kind enough to provide it.
I was broke from respiratory school and didn't have money to take my boards, so I went back to work as a CNA... totally irrelevant to this convo. So I should keep applying and be patient ...why didn't I think of that?
Wow. If this attitude shines through when you're job hunting, you may be hunting for a long time.
As stated in my op, I did just pass my nursing boards in the state of Massachusetts. I do not have RN experience, but I do have plenty of experience as a nursing assistant and unit secretary. I am sort of confused with your post too .. didn't make any sense and you didn't help at all and yes you can have a ton of acute care experience without being a nurse. Are nurses the only part of an interdisciplinary team ? Thanks!
Why the attitude? I also read your OP as if you had a "ton of experience" as an RN, which didn't make sense to me either because you had just gotten your license.
Youve shown nothing but an awful attitude throughout this entire post. I understand that you're frustrated. We've all been there. However, none of us caused you to not have gotten a job yet. People have been trying to help you, and you're acting so spoiled and rude. How dare you speak to other people this way? I want to feel bad for you, but I can't. You have shown nothing but disrespect to almost everyone. You made it seem as though you had a lot of RN experience. This is why people asked for clarification.
Haha no my resume was fine and if I had things misspelled on this site, well that's fine with me.
I thought you were looking for help. You are coming across as argumentive, quarrelsome, and not open to any of the good suggestions folks have given.
Loosing is wrong. Losing it. Loose means not tight. Lose means not winning; something is slipping away.
Make your work history clear. You have unit secretary and other non-RN experience. you were a good Nursing student. you are looking forward to starting your first RN position.
Try to drop the anger and the sense of superiority and resentment undertones. That's what I feel coming from you anyway. Sorry if I am wrong. No insult is meant. I wish you all the best.
I'm wondering if you feel inferior at the heart of all of this.
Your responses seem very defensive and argumentative. As an employer and someone who sits on interview panels I wouldn't consider you based on your style of interaction. Maybe you might want to rethink your take on your responses. You asked for insights and then fired back "well I said..." as if the nurses taking time out of their day to help you were your obstacle instead of ally. Good luck.
I agree with previous posts. I would add -greatly expanding what types of positions you are willing to consider, ie long term care, prisons, part-time jobs, night shift. Even "volunteer" work can quickly lead to a paid position. Take care of yourself and keep positive.
Specializes in Occ. Hlth, Education, ICU, Med-Surg.
I don't have problem figuring out why you're not getting offers....it's obvious by your replies. You are rude and capricious with a disrespectful attitude. I have no doubt that this attitude is being displayed during your interviews.
Best of luck in finding a position. You're going to need it.
jodispamodi
230 Posts
read other posts, nothing new to offer.